Hot start for Brisbane Business Hotline 133BNE

21 February, 2013

Hot start for Brisbane Business Hotline 133BNE

The Brisbane Business Hotline 133 BNE has reported an excellent first seven months in operation, with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk reporting almost 6,500 calls from business owners between July 2011 and January this year.
The Lord Mayor said the Brisbane Business Hotline 133 BNE was a one-stop shop for local, state, interstate and international companies seeking advice on Council services.
“The feedback we’ve received from callers so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with most commenting on how convenient it is to be able to get all of their questions answered in the one phone call,” Cr Quirk said.

“The volume of enquiries to 133BNE is increasing, with 131 phone calls during its first month of operation in July last year, and skyrocketing to 1,952 calls received in January this year.”

The month with the highest number of calls to date was November 2012, when the service received 2,059 business enquiries.

Cr Quirk said most callers to 133BNE had questions relating to food licensing, zoning and home businesses.

“By calling 133BNE, owners of businesses of all sizes can access information on a range of topics including licensing, upcoming business events and how to develop business opportunities,” he said.

“One recent caller was interested in catering for parties but wanted to know which food licenses she would need to prepare and cook the food at home. Providing this information via the Hotline allowed the customer to decide how to continue with their idea.

“Another caller wanted to find out the process for relocating their business to their home and a Hotline staff member was able to provide the relevant information to the customer to get this process under way.

“This is about making the process of starting or running a business as easy as possible for Brisbane residents, which will help our economy continue to grow.”

He said Business Hotline staff were Contact Centre consultants with a minimum of three and a half years’ experience within Council and trained in meeting the specific needs of businesses.

For more information, phone the Brisbane Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.